The story unfolds with Kellyanne Williamson, who is swept away by her vivid imagination while playing with her beloved invisible friends, Pobby and Dingan. The Williamson family, comprising Rex, his wife Anne, their daughter Kellyanne, and son Ashmol, relocates to Coober Pedy, known as the "opal capital of Australia." This move is fueled by Rex's dreams of striking it rich through opal mining. Unfortunately, his endeavors have so far yielded nothing but disappointment and dust. Meanwhile, Ashmol finds himself increasingly frustrated with Kellyanne's whimsical conversations with her imaginary companions, which draw ridicule from others.
As the stakes rise, Rex and Anne resolve to cut Kellyanne's bonds with her make-believe friends. Anne takes her to a cheerful Christmas party, while Rex assures Pobby and Dingan that they will join him in his mining adventures. Upon his return, Kellyanne reveals that her friends have mysteriously disappeared, leaving her heartbroken and desolate. Her attempts to join Rex and Ashmol in the mining area are met with refusal, prompting her to venture alone within the expansive mine in search of comfort.
The Williamson family's misadventure on the neighboring claim of miner Sid triggers a whirlwind of chaos. Sid accuses Rex of wrongdoing, brandishing a shotgun and summoning the authorities, which ignites a media frenzy affecting Anne at her workplace and placing Rex in a precarious situation. As Kellyanne’s health declines due to her grief over the loss of Pobby and Dingan, she spirals into an affliction that baffles medical professionals.
Ashmol grows increasingly skeptical of his sister’s condition and believes she is feigning illness. Unfazed by Kellyanne's cries, he devises a mission to find Pobby and Dingan, even going so far as to plaster town with posters in pursuit of them. His determination ultimately leads him to a hidden opal deep within the mine, which he presents to Kellyanne as a representation of his efforts. However, Ashmol’s heartbreaking assertion that Pobby and Dingan are gone sends Kellyanne's despair to new heights.
As Kellyanne's health takes a serious turn, she is admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile, Ashmol cultivates a new friendship with a lawyer who supports Rex in his legal battles. Ultimately, the family's love and unity shine through when Rex triumphs in his trial, buoyed by the backing of his family and the rejuvenating power of love.
As the days pass, the townspeople begin to reflect on their treatment of Kellyanne and her family, questioning whether their actions contributed to the young girl’s mysterious illness. This introspection culminates during the poignant funeral of Pobby and Dingan, where townsfolk gather to pay their respects, including Kellyanne herself, who, despite her ongoing struggles, finds a moment of peace throwing lollipops onto the graves of her imaginary friends. Although the somber atmosphere looms large, this small gesture of remembrance provides a fleeting moment of comfort as the town grapples with its dark legacy.
In a heart-wrenching twist, Kellyanne's fragile vitality begins to fade, and she ultimately passes away, laid to rest beside her cherished imaginary friends. The profound grief following this loss resonates deeply, with Ashmol seeking solace at her grave, while Rex, liberated from his emotional struggles, reclaims the mining claim that had once caused a rift between him and his family. In an act of benevolence, he permits Ashmol to accompany him on mining expeditions, symbolizing a tentative step towards healing and reconciliation.
Interestingly, some versions of this film do not explicitly display Kellyanne’s passing, choosing instead to conclude with a subtle fade-to-white, leaving audiences to interpret the finale. Nonetheless, it remains evident that this crucial omission clashed with the director’s original intent, which was ultimately fulfilled when the uncut version debuted on BBC Two in 2008.
